A group of New Jersey news veterans, including several former newspaper reporters, have launched a state news site that has stories ranging from political news to development issues.

“Founded and staffed by leading journalists with decades of experience covering New Jersey, NJ Spotlight gives new life to in-depth and comprehensive coverage of major public issues like education, energy, the environment and healthcare," an announcement stated.

“With a new governor and legislature and a recession that won't quit, issues like schools, energy and health care are seeing big changes and a ton of news,” said John Mooney, the site's founding editor and a former Star-Ledger reporter.

The Web site's work is already finding its way into existing newspapers, Mooney said, noting the Star-Ledger last week ran a story by NJ Spotlight's Tom Johnson, a former Star-Ledger writer, on a local utility being short-changed on gas payments.

Among the site's sponsors are the Community Foundation of New Jersey, the William Penn Foundation and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.